The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-06-03
a BROAD PRINCIPLE.

a BROAD PHtNCiPIe.
Easily Conprshended Facts showing
That Protection Il Not Oae-sided.
Canadian manufacturers in conaRlta-
ton formally resolve that they want
no reciprocity in trade with this coun-
try, declare that it would ruin their in
dustries. and petition their Govern
ment not to yield to the clamor Of in
tcrested parties who seek their own adj
vantage at the expense Of their, coun-
try. This decision free trade journals
expect Americans to condemn. Yet
there is no reason for censuring it; no
reason why the people Of the United
States should regret it So long as
Canada prefers separate national ex-
istence. it should be expected to de-
velop distinctive industrial organizes
ton and life. and that policy which
would make Canada most prosperous
in the long run would render her in
the long run most valuable to the
United States as neighbor and as a
customer in trade.
SQFrance once more raises the du-
ties on certain agricultural products.
striving earnestly. whether wisely or
unwisely. to defend the farming indus
try of that country. Free Traders
hold up this as new evidence that pro-
lection i'm this country prompts retail
iation elsewhere. and Injuries American
farmers by closing French markets
against their products. But the truth
is that the French policy is not at all
retaliatOry in origin or character, but
distinctively national. The farm own
ers and workers in France cast large
proportion of the votes by which the
Government is sustained. and that
Government is not so unwise as to neg
lect their interests. But harm is done
to the producers Of this country, it is
said. Immediately. it is true. . great
er tax must be paid, either by Ameri-
can shippers, by French consumers. or
by both. But that is insignificant COM
pared with the advantages which re-
suit from broad and enduring ma
tional prosperity. France prosperous
is infinitely more beneficial to us as a
customer. and in every relation Of
commerce and industry. than France
Frustrated and impoverished. Wheth-
er the French policy is wisely adapted
to develop the resources OF that
country, and to secure its lasting and
highest prosperity. is another question,
but if it is truly protective policy.
there is no reason why people of this
country should not regard it as bless
ing to them in the long run. as well as
to the French people.
The intelligent protectionist believes
that every nation ought to develop and
defend its own industries. 1t should
choose for itself that form of develop
ment which is adapted to its natural
resources. to the peculiarities and the
genius of its people. to their surround
ings and opportunities. The tariff
that is nationally protective for Cam
ada would not be just the one. per-
haps. for the United States. and the
tariff which grandly develops the in
dustries Of this country would not do
for France at all. Each nation rightly
considers that it owes its first duty to
its own people. and that it can in no
way benefit other nations more than
by rendering its own people prosper
Gus, by enabling them to contribute
more largely to the aggregate produc-
ton by which the wants of mankind
are supplied, and in consequence. to
consume more largely the products Of
other lands. No nation can expect to
develop such q national. wholesome
and enduring industrial life. which
leaves its industries perpetually ex-
posed to the destructive warfare Of
foreign competition. Every nation
may mistake, in judging of the meas
ure or kind of defense that its indus
tries require for their best develop
ment, as Spain has for a long time
been installing. But the purpose of
defensive legislation is one in perfect
harmony with the lest interests of
each nation and Of all mankind.-N.
y. Tribune.